The 10 Standards

Emphasises understanding how children absorb and process knowledge and skills.

The goal is to help teachers develop a "safe, respectful" environment to encourage open inquiry and co-operative learning.

Teachers will know and understand the subjects they teach. Subjects to be aligned from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Teachers will develop lesson plans that support development of student skills in problem solving, critical thinking, inquiry and collaborative work.

Teachers will be trained to use new technologies that enhance the curriculum and improve learning opportunities for children.

A new set of assessment tools will more accurately evaluate student achievement. The aim is to develop a more comprehensive set of measures - beyond traditional pencil-and-paper tests - that consider learning in all its facets, and not merely memorisation of facts and figures.

Teachers will be trained to communicate effectively with students, parents and the wider education community.

Teachers should be seen as "leaders of learning" - to work with students, and with colleagues, to build "communities of learners". The new training programme will focus on how teachers can better establish partnerships with other teachers, parents, and others to develop school communities.

Teachers must be able to continually improve their professional knowledge and practice, and they will be asked to carry on continuous professional development to keep themselves up to date with innovations and new ideas in the teaching profession. They will be trained to evaluate their own personal skills, and to think critically about how to improve teaching. They will be required to meet new certification and licensing requirements.

Teachers must demonstrate ethical practices in all aspects of their work. High standards including keeping accurate records. * The National